“Today's an exciting part of my job because I'm very pleased and happy with the two kids we got,” Izzo said. “We definitely want guys that want to be here, and I think we've got two guys that definitely want to be here.”

AJ Hoggard to bring versatility to the Spartans

At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Izzo said Hoggard could be a contender to play in potentially all three guard positions.

“That's kinda what we're really looking for,” Izzo said. “A guy that had some toughness, some size, but maybe most importantly with some versatility.”

The Wayne, Pennsylvania native averaged 15.6 points his sophomore year, putting him as the No. 3 player in his home state and No. 13 point guard nationally in the 2020 recruiting class according to 247Sports.

While watching Hoggard on film, Izzo praised his passing, defending and leadership abilities. 

“We kind of fell in love with him just listening to him on the bench to his teammates,” Izzo said. “He has very good leadership skills and is not afraid to use his voice.” 

As for what Hoggard should improve on, Izzo cited “consistency” in his three-point shot and getting into better shape overall.

“I wouldn't say a great shooter yet,” Izzo said before following with another improvement he would like to see in Hoggard’s game. “I think he's in decent shape, but I think he could improve in that area.” 

Hoggard comes to MSU from Huntington Prep, the same prep school as former MSU All-American and current forward for the Charlotte Hornets, Miles Bridges.

“I do feel comfortable that he's a guy that can play a multiple (positions). He passes it good enough, can play some point, he's strong enough to play almost a four in this day and age. I think he'll be able to play all over the place, and I think that benefits us,” Izzo said. “He has some size, but his strength really separates him.”

Mady Sissoko to bring size and defensive dominance

A native of Bafoulabé, Mali, five years ago, Sissoko hadn’t started to play basketball. However, since moving to the United States in 2016 and attending Wasatch Academy in Utah, the 6-foot-9 center has made a name for himself in the 2020 recruiting class.

Sissoko is ranked No. 37 in the ESPN Top 100. 247Sports grants Sissoko a No. 37 overall player ranking and a No. 7 among centers.

“I’m starting to believe length might be more important than height,” Izzo said, touching on Sissoko’s dominant 7-foot-4 wingspan.

In his junior year, Sissoko averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds.

As for what Sissoko will bring to Michigan State skill-wise, Izzo cited defensive dominance, specifically in rebounding abilities.

“I think his biggest asset, he can run the court like a deer and he rebounds everything in sight. So we think he's gonna fit in well with us, gets along with everybody,” Izzo said.

Izzo said that Sissoko thinks “every missed shot is his."

“He rebounds with a vengeance, and in that respect I think he's going to fit in really well here,” Izzo said. “He’ll continue to work on his offensive skills ... but running the court, rebounding the ball and blocking shots, I think he's gonna be at a very high level.”

As an individual, Izzo spoke highly of Sissoko's personality noting him as having a “Tum Tum demeanor to him, appreciative about everything.”

With Hoggard and Sissoko officially on the roster, the Spartans are still looking for one more recruit after the decommitment of four-star point guard Jalen Terry has left the final spot a question mark.

"We'll probably sign one more. We feel like with the number of guards we're losing, we're going to need another guard," Izzo said, citing the loss of Joshua Langford, Kyle Ahrens and Cassius Winston after this season. "Yet you never know in this day and age. Maybe we'll check that basket (transfer portal) sometime and see what's in there and then we'll figure out where we want to go from there. But the game plan is to definitely sign at least one more sometime throughout the year."